The United States is continuing its border preparations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which it will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
In a statement released on May 18, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it is seeing strong activity related to electronic travel authorizations, Trusted Traveler Programs and information tools for international visitors.
The U.S. administration is presenting these preparations as a central part of welcoming the fans expected during the tournament. The competition, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams. The United States will host 78 of the 104 matches and expects more than five million visitors to enter the country.
More than 5 million ESTA authorizations already approved
According to CBP, more than 5.9 million ESTA applications were received between October 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, under the Visa Waiver Program. Those applications resulted in more than five million approved travel authorizations.
The top five countries by number of authorizations issued are the United Kingdom, with more than 1.2 million ESTAs, followed by France with more than 570,000 authorizations, Germany with more than 530,000, Japan with more than 500,000 and South Korea with more than 320,000.
These figures do not apply only to World Cup fans, but they offer an indication of the level of activity expected at U.S. borders as the tournament approaches. Travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must obtain an ESTA before departing for the United States, including when traveling to attend a sporting event.
CBP urges travelers to prepare in advance
In its statement, CBP stressed the importance of preparing before traveling. International visitors are encouraged to check whether they need an ESTA or a visa, make sure their passport is valid for the full duration of their stay and review which products are prohibited or restricted upon arrival in the United States.
Matthew S. Davies, Executive Director of Admissibility and Passenger Programs at CBP’s Office of Field Operations, said the agency is preparing “proactively” to ensure a “safe and efficient” arrival experience for visitors. He also noted that using tools such as Trusted Traveler Programs or Mobile Passport Control can help make arrivals smoother while maintaining border security checks.
CBP also reminded travelers that they must comply with the terms of their visa or travel authorization. Visitors who violate U.S. laws or the conditions of their stay may face detention and removal, according to the agency.
1.6 million applications for Trusted Traveler Programs
Beyond ESTA, CBP said it received more than 1.6 million applications for Trusted Traveler Programs between October 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. These programs include Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS.
They allow preapproved, low-risk travelers to benefit from expedited procedures at certain airports and land border crossings. CBP said it is working with domestic and international partners to maintain enrollment capacity in the months leading up to the tournament.
For foreign travelers, Global Entry can offer a faster arrival process at participating U.S. airports, subject to eligibility, prior approval and compliance with program requirements.
COMPASS, a virtual assistant for World Cup travelers
CBP is also highlighting COMPASS, its new secure and interactive virtual assistant for travelers heading to the United States for the 2026 World Cup. Launched on April 1, 2026, the tool has already answered more than 25,000 questions in just over a month.
COMPASS can respond to questions about general entry requirements for the United States, ESTA, Trusted Traveler Programs, EVUS and Form I-94. The assistant is available from several CBP pages related to the World Cup, as well as at askcompass.cbp.gov.
For international fans, the goal is to provide a centralized information point before departure, particularly to help distinguish between situations requiring an ESTA, a visa or other entry formalities.
Specific rules for charter flights and general aviation
CBP’s statement also addresses preparations for international charter aircraft and business jets, which are expected to carry teams, officials and some fans during the tournament.
Pilots and operators of general aviation aircraft will be required, in particular, to submit a complete manifest through the APIS system, obtain landing permission from the CBP port of entry and coordinate their operations with the relevant authorities.
CBP said it has published guidance documents to help operators better anticipate arrival and departure procedures during the tournament period.
